University of Nebraska Medical Center - College of Nursing
Omaha; Lincoln; Kearney; Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Ada M. Lindsey, PhD, Dean; Barbara Wharton McCabe, PhD (faculty contact)
Phone: (402) 472-7363  Fax: (402) 472-7345  E-mail: bwmccabe@unmc.edu

Abstract
A common philosophy, program objectives, and course content comprise the baccalaureate program on the four campuses of the UNMC College of Nursing. The baccalaureate program requires three semesters of foundational courses in the arts and sciences prior to admission to the nursing major. Nursing courses focus on age-related issues and populations (infants, children, adults, and older adults) and approach care of the individual within a family structure. The undergraduate curriculum of the UNMC College of Nursing provides an innovative example of how gerontological nursing content can be implemented in a variety of geographical settings. The curriculum is organized into five levels (semesters) and gerontological nursing content is integrated into many undergraduate nursing courses. Course sequencing is planned to lay a foundation for future courses, to increase clinical depth, and to provide simultaneous offerings of courses that complement each other.
 A 4-hour required course Gerontological Nursing  is an integral part of the students’ theoretical and clinical learning in Level IV, and allows students to focus on the essence of the art and science of gerontological nursing. Prior learning about the health care needs of the older client are expanded and synthesized through an exclusive focus on gerontological nursing. Faculty on each of the four campuses provide clinical experiences throughout the semester that require the students to draw upon previous learning and become intimately involved with concepts and best practices relevant to the care of the older adult. In the clinical area, students care for clients in acute, sub-acute, rehabilitation units, adult day care, assisted living units, nursing homes, Alzheimer’s Special Care Units, and specialty senior clinics. Community senior fairs and festivals provide yet another venue for students to develop and refine health assessment and intervention techniques with older clients.  Student learning experiences are in concert with the generalist levels described in Standards of Gerontological Nursing Practice. In the classroom and clinical setting a broad array of instructional techniques are used to engage the student in active learning about the role of the professional nurse in a variety of settings.

Innovation
College wide commitment to quality educational experiences give nursing students the opportunity to focus on the health care needs of older adults throughout all levels of the curriculum. Faculty representing specialty areas are available to consult with each other and students regarding concepts from their specialty domain, thus demonstrating the importance of collaboration and consultation in professional practice. The dialogue between faculty illustrates a culture that respects and values contributions each specialty area can make in improving nursing care of the older client. The 4-hour course in gerontological nursing, taught by faculty in the specialty who work with students in both the classroom and the clinical setting, is a mark of commitment to excellence in learning about the needs of the older client. Collaboration by Level IV specialty faculty (gerontological, psychiatric mental health and community health nursing) on the Lincoln campus, has led to the development of a Senior Nursing Clinic. The Clinic, staffed by the Level IV students and faculty, offers a variety of age specific services. Students have a firsthand experience of developing a partnership in health promotion and disease prevention with older adults. Cross-course faculty collaboration results in creating an integrated learning experience in gerontological, mental health, and community health nursing.

Replication
The gerontological learning experiences were developed by faculty from four campus sites across the state, and are appropriate for use in urban and rural settings. The learning experiences developed and the insights gained by UNMC College of Nursing faculty who have implemented the undergraduate curriculum in gerontological nursing can be replicated by other nursing faculties as they fulfill the responsibility of the nursing profession to address the changing demographics in our nation.